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Jay-Z takes rap for not selling out Glastonbury
7 Apr 2008Tickets for this year's Glastonbury Festival are still available, a day after going on sale - sparking rumours that fans are unimpressed by the headline act, US rapper Jay-Z.
Only 100,000 of the 137,500 tickets were bought after phone lines opened yesterday.
Last year the £155 tickets sold out in two hours.
Organiser Michael Eavis denied Jay-Z would put off more traditional fans of the festival, which runs from 27 to 29 June.
"In previous years all tickets were sold-out within a couple of hours but I think three years of mud may have taken their toll, but even so, 100,000 isn't bad," he said.
Eavis said the full line-up would be announced on May 1.
"People will be astonished, astounded when they see who's playing," he said.
He added: "I'm so excited about Jay-Z too. He's the best thing we have had here for years."
Reader views (5)
For Gods sake people get a grip. I am fed up of people complaining about Jay-Z, if you don't like him then fair enough but any true Glastonbury fan would know its not all about the music, i could go and sit in the stone circle for all 5 days and have the best time of my life. Glastonbury is better off without the people who moan about the music, everyone there this year will be happy, and I guarantee when the line-up is released it will not disappoint.
There is no 'genre' to Glastonbury, the whole point of the festival is to bring together all types of people and music while raising money for good causes. Jay-Z is and amazing artist, an Icon of the last decade a true legend in his line of work. He is the biggest act since Coldplay. If you don't like him then don't go and watch, but moaning I am sure he will have one of the biggest crowds in history watching and supporting him.
- Andrew, Nottingham UK, 07/04/2008 23:49
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Glasto's been disappointing since 2003. A weak, mainstream line-up, far too much branding/sponsorship, and a sad lack of the spontaneity, edginess and anarchy that made it so famous in the first place. The sight of neat rows of gazebos and Cath Kidston tents in the camping fields, and baffled-looking couples in matching Gore-Tex with designer pushchairs, is enough to put most seasoned festival goers (Glasto's core audience) right off.
Sad to say, I won't be going again, but I do hope the sun shines on this year's event.
- M, London, 07/04/2008 14:59
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I think also the fact that the radio one all night stage being scrapped, the glade entertainment stopping at 1am and lost vagueness being scrapped may also be a contributing factor for regular glasto attenders alike myself.
Glastonbury is losing its hippy/funky atmosphere of which is being turned into a very commercial/chav Jay Z fan type nature.
Last year was overcrowded with tents being as close as 10cm, the weather was hurrendous, there was no entertainment after 1 except silent disco and the new drainage system was useless.
Good luck this year!
- Kelly, Bristol, 07/04/2008 14:01
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It's not his fault that the job description for Glasto headliner is 'boring, superstar indie white band' and anything else replacing that will result in turned up noses from festival regulars.
- Mo, London, UK, 07/04/2008 11:58
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I'm sure Jay Z will put in a great show at Glastonbury. But having him as the headline act is like having Oasis headline a Dance Music Festival, because the main Glastonbury audience are indie and rock fans.
- Ben S, London, 07/04/2008 11:38
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